Chocolate Air...

I am an eighth grade language arts/social studies teacher in Ohio. I started this blog to keep track of all the great books I read so I could share them with my students. I now use this blog in class for book talks so my students can keep up to date on the world of books that I so dearly love. It is my hopes that this blog will continue to be a source of exciting book finds for my current and former students to explore. Send me your comments! I look forward to hearing from you!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze

"Lovable geek Milo Cruikshank finds reasons for frustration at every turn—like people who carve Halloween pumpkins way too soon in the season, or the fact that the girl of his dreams, Summer, barely acknowledges his existence while next-door neighbor Hilary won’t stop leaving notes in his locker.

"The truth is, ever since Milo’s mother died nothing has gone right. Now, instead of the kitchen being full of music, his whole house has been filled with fog. Nothing’s the same. Not his dad. Not his sister. And definitely not him." Through the help of a couple of true friends, Milo embarks on a mission to achieve healing.

Losing a loved one is unbearable. My mother passed away a year ago. I completely understand how Milo felt in a "fog" and can relate to Milo's desire to have "things" belonging to his mom. It is amazing how a book written for kids can still have an impact on someone much older like me!

I will be recommending this book to Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans, of course. But I feel that this book is so much more than a Greg Heffley story. Milo’s feelings are raw. Perhaps readers who have gone through their own personal loss might feel a sense of comfort after meeting Milo. I know I have.